Monthly Archives: February 2024

The Changes in Company Uniform

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There has been a drastic change in company uniform over the last 10 years, this change sped up in 2020 when Covid struck.  Office staff in particular noticed a significant change, as many of them spent some, or all of their time working from home.  There was no need to dress smart for the office and as long as your top half was acceptable for meetings, you could get away with joggers or even pyjamas on your bottom half.   

As we know, many people continued to work full or part time from home after the lock down lifted, and so this became the new normal. 

Going Into Work

Woman with long hair wearing a polo shirt in navy as company uniform
Casual Company Uniform

For those who continued to go into work, company uniform has also become more casual.   This is due to trends in fashion, comfort for workers and the cost of supplying uniform, especially as there is a much higher turnover in staff in many businesses in recent years.

Over the last few years, we have seen a change from dress shirts to polo shirts. Blazers to soft shells or hoodies. Suit trousers to chinos or jeans.  Ties and scarfs have almost disappeared, and many hospitality businesses are just supplying aprons as uniform, which is worn over the staff’s normal clothing.

Making Your Clothing Look Like Company Uniform

Because uniform has become so much more casual, businesses often choose to have it branded so it can be distinguished from non-work clothing.  This is a simple and cost effective way to provide a company uniform.

Company Uniform of the Future

As time moves forward we predict that uniform will continue to move towards a more casual look and practicality and comfort will be key. It may become more like merchandise and be used as a form of marketing through fashion trends.

If you would like to discuss your uniform requirements with us please call on 01908 290482 or email [email protected]

Aprons as Uniform

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We have noticed that aprons have become uniform for so much more than just hospitality businesses.

Lots of customers who order aprons from us are from other industries such as homeware shops, flour mills, museums, nurseries, and potters.

Aprons have become an easy way to give staff a uniform and brand identity because it’s one item of clothing and one size fits all.  An apron can be made completely bespoke to match a Pantone colour as well as to fit a brand design. 

Examples of customers

Homesense are a well known high street chain, part of the TK Maxx brand. We have supplied them with bespoke aprons for their staff for many years HOMESENSE

Shipton Mill supplies flour and so much more, anything you need to baking including aprons and couche cloths supplied by us  SHIPTON MILL

Organic cotton apron with Shipton Mill embroidered on the front
Organic cotton apron

The Waterside Inn is a 3 star Michelin Restaurant opened by Michele Roux.  It gained it first star in 1974 and is the only restaurant in the work outside France to have retained 3 stars since 1985.  Michel’s son Alain has been running the restaurant since 2002, we have been supplying their bespoke aprons and cookery school bags for many years  WATERSIDE INN

The Voung V&A came to us after seeing some aprons we had made for Pasta Evangelists for their restaurant in Harrods, they loved what they saw and wanted the same. YOUNG V&A

Valvona and Crolla are an incredible delicatessen, restaurant, bar, wine merchant and outside caterers in Edinburgh established in 1934.  We supply them with bespoke aprons made here in the UK  VALVONA AND CROLLA

A few years ago we worked with the fabulous coffee bean shop to develop and make aprons, tote bags and Christmas stockings.  You can see them and even buy them here. COFFEE BEAN SHOP

Why do companies brand uniform?

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There are many reasons why businesses and organisations brand uniform and clothing, some are practical, and some are for design purposes. Often businesses do it for a more than one reason, both practical and design.

Ownership of clothing

By branding uniform, you are making sure that it is clearly labelled as being owned by the business.  It’s much less likely that it will be used by the employee for anything other than work. It also identifies the clothing as an asset of the business.  Clothing is often tax tabbed for this reason.

Labels for Jones Bootmakers
Tax Tabs for Branding

Marketing

Adding brand logos to uniform and Pantone matching clothing can help to strengthen a band’s exposure and make it more memorable to customers.

Identity

Branded uniform can give staff a sense of identity with each other and also for customers. You can clearly identify a sales assistant in a store if they are wearing a uniform.  If a trades person arrives at your door and they branded uniform on, it reassures you that they are from the company you are expecting.

Ways to brand uniform

There are many ways to brand uniform, you can have a full bespoke item which is dyed to match your exact Pantone colour.  You can scale it right back with a tax tab label sewn on for a discreet look or you can add print and embroidery with a logo and tag line.

Uniforms particularly in the hospitality sector have become part of the whole hotel or restaurant design.  For example, if the style of the restaurant is industrial, with lots of wood and metal.  The clothing may reflect that with denim, or leather fabrics.  The branding may be a logo in the design of a branding stamp, again to reflect industry.  It helps to make the whole experience immersive for the customer.

The Benefits of a Customised Apron

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A customised apron serves as a distinctive and practical choice for your business, highlighting your brand and your team while providing comfort and functionality. At Impact Trading, we offer an extensive range of styles and fabrics to cater to the unique needs of hospitality and various other industries.

The Advantages of a Customised Apron

The key advantage of using a customised apron for your business is branding and professionalism. Customised aprons serve as a walking advertisement for your brand, as they can feature your company logo, colours or specific designs. They can also create a professional and cohesive image for your company as they promote a polished and professional image and standardise the appearance of your staff.

Employee Morale and Identity

Providing customised aprons for your team fosters a sense of belonging and unity among employees, and it can also instil a shared identity and pride in representing the company. In terms of employee morale, wearing a customised apron can make employees feel valued and appreciated, and it adds a personal touch to the workwear, contributing to overall job satisfaction.

Promotional Opportunities

Customised aprons can be used as promotional items during special events or trade shows. This can attract attention, engage potential customers and create a positive association with your brand. You could also use a customised apron for special occasions or seasonal events.

Functional Design and Comfort

Customisation allows you to design aprons that cater to specific job requirements. Whether it’s extra pockets for tools or adjustable straps for comfort, tailored designs enhance functionality. This also benefits your employees as aprons made from comfortable and breathable materials ensure that your employees can work with ease, contributing to overall job satisfaction and productivity.

Customised Aprons at Impact Trading

At Impact Trading, we understand that one size does not fit all. Choose from our selection of beautifully crafted apron styles tailored to meet the specific demands of your profession. Whether it’s the classic bib apron, the functional half apron or the sophisticated bistro apron, each style is designed to offer both aesthetic appeal and practicality. Selecting the right fabric is crucial for comfort and durability, so you can opt for 60-degree wash fabric, polyester/cotton blends, 100% cotton for a soft touch or denim for a rugged, authentic look. For those with a commitment to sustainability, there is also an option for organic and Fairtrade-certified aprons, showcasing our dedication to ethical manufacturing.

Bespoke Aprons

At Impact Trading, we go above and beyond by offering made-to-order aprons, ensuring that each piece meets the unique requirements of your business. The diverse range of fabrics includes half Panama, bull denim, denim, organic denim, recycled coffee sacks, coated cotton and Pantone-dyed half Panama aprons. We can also dye all our aprons in the UK to your specific Pantone colour, and each apron, regardless of the chosen fabric or style, is superbly stitched and finished at our UK factory.

We feel that the benefits of customised aprons extend beyond design and aesthetics. They can also play a pivotal role in shaping your business’s brand identity, enhancing employee morale and creating a positive impression on customers. Our commitment to excellence, ethical practices and unmatched customisation options makes our aprons an indispensable choice for businesses looking to elevate their professional image.

How to create an apron with a logo and promote your brand.

Bespoke Aprons, Branded Clothing
The service we provide.

One of our most popular products is our apron with a logo. We take great pride in supplying top-quality, branded aprons. We understand that as well as being practical your apron with a logo needs to perfectly reflect your brand image. A well-designed apron can be the perfect walking advertisement for your company. Our dedicated team will work closely with you to produce an apron that will look great, feel comfortable, be easy to care for and create a sense of unity with your staff.

Our stock range of aprons with a logo

 We have a wide range of aprons available in our stock range and the beauty of this route is the quick turnaround. The whole process can take two weeks from placing your order to delivery.

We can supply colourful polyester cotton twill aprons that are robust and retain their colour after multiple washes, right through to 100% Fairtrade and Organic for a sustainable apron that looks great and is kind to the environment.

Our bespoke apron service.

Our design team are ready and waiting to work with you on something more unique. The fabric is our starting point. We work closely with our mills to select the right fabric for your brief. We will send you swatches to approve along with any other details such as eyelets and metal neck adjusters. Once you are happy, the next stage will be to produce an initial sample. The sample stage is very important. It is an opportunity to see the design, review all the details and make any amendments.

Customising your apron

Adding your logo is the final touch. It serves as a visual representation of your brand and can leave a lasting impression on your customers. We have a talented team of embroiderers and printers who will advise on the best method to achieve an image that stands out and conveys quality and professionalism. Whether it is embroidery or print, the details create a sense of craftsmanship and attention to detail.

If you would like to speak to a member of our team about a future order, please click this link.